Brokers, Architects blame govt agencies, weak law enforcement for building collapse

Worried by incessant loss of life and property running into billions of Naira yearly, chieftains of insurance brokers and architects have blamed government agencies, weak enforcement of rules in the building industry and neglect of numerous recommendations of panel of enquiries.

For instance, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Rotimi Edu, speaking as a guest lecturer at the February Business meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), on the topic “Insurance for Architects and Professionals” said many buildings across the country are not fit and proper for human habitation because building rules are relaxed.

He charged members of the (NIA) to embrace relevant insurances to cover their professional Indemnity as well as for others that are involved in their projects they handle knowing that negligent by any of their representatives brings about consequences for all.

The NCRIB boss however urged members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects to embrace insurance policies that are relevant to their profession.

He noted that members of Nigerian Institute of Architects were mandated by law to have Professional indemnity among many other types of policies that are available.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc David Majekodunmi blamed the incessant building collapse on relevant government agencies that were not seen doing what they ought to do.

Mr. Majekodunmi lamented that government has not been seen implementing several recommendations of panel of enquiries raised to address the menace of building collapse.

He also noted that most of the building collapses were basically negligence by professionals, clients and workers, who would have been brought to book and serve as deterrent to others if government implanted the recommendation submitted by the panel.